The idea for the memorial is conceived by Diane Carlson Evans, RN, who served in Vietnam. Evans shared her dream with Rodger M. Brodin, a noted Minnesota sculptor. Together, using Brodin’s skills as an artist and Evans’ memories of life in Vietnam, they created a statue of a female veteran. Ultimately, hearings with the federal regulating agencies in Washington DC resulted in the approval of a statue designed by Glenna Goodacre of Santa Fe, NM.

To place this statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project is incorporated as a nonprofit volunteer organization. Its goals are to honor the women who served during the Vietnam Era, educate the public about the role of these women, locate them and help facilitate research on them.

Sculptor Rodger Brodin’s design for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial unveiled in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Brodin, a past preisdent of The Society of Minnesota Sculptors, created Minnesota’s official monument to the state’s veterans “Monument to the Living” on the Minnesota State Capitol Mall, dedicated 1982,  St. Paul, Minnesota.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. approves the placement of a women’s memorial near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall of Names.

Secretary of the Interior approves the concept of placing a Vietnam Women’s Memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Commission of Fine Arts rejects proposal for a memorial in public hearing by a 4-1 vote.

“Opponents to the concept insisted that an addition would encourage other groups and ethnic minorities to claim statues as well. One antagonist said that the Wall was complete “as is” and that attempts to depict everyone literally can only diffuse its symbolic power and weaken the memorial. Maya Lin, artist of the original design, protested further, concerned about “individual concessions” to special interest groups.“I am as opposed to this new addition as I was to [Hart’s sculpture]” Lin concluded. “I cannot see where it will all end” (Minutes of the Commission of Fine Arts, 1987). There were derisive and heated remarks by commissioners. Frederick Hart, sculptor of Three Fighting Men (who disqualified himself from casting a vote), argued against the addition by insisting that the statue of three men stood for the whole veteran population regardless of sex. He held that his work had created a “fragile balance” with the Wall, a balance likely to be disturbed by the intrusion of  added elements. Another commissioner called it an “unneeded clarification.” J. Carter Brown, Chairman of the Commission, delivered the coup de grace. He declared that the three male figures by Hart were already “symbolic of humankind and everyone who served.” He asserted that a proliferation of statues would be uncontrollable, saying, “The Park Service has even heard from Scout Dog associations.” He referred to the VWMP statue as “an afterthought, sort of a putdown, almost a ghettoization.” Mention was made of a statue already dedicated to nurses—the Nurse’s Monument, which overlooks the graves from the top of a hill in Arlington National Cemetery. We were urged to believe that this was enough for nurses. I knew from my research that this monument had been placed in honor of Army and Navy nurses in 1938. It was rededicated by the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in 1971. The Commission voted four to one to reject our proposal. The commissioners’ comments seemed to mirror those in the Washington Post column, which had branded the project a “bad precedent,” saying, “The Nurse in answer to Hart’s statue has no psychological or physical relationship with the memorial as a whole” (Forgey, 1987).” Report written by Diane Carlson Evans

S.J 215 is introduced in the senate authorizing a Vietnam Women’s Memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and companion bill H.R. 3628 is introduced in the House.

Hearings are held on S.J. 2042 before the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, National Parks and Forests to complete the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with a Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

To comply with the Commemorative Works Act, the newly passed law governing the process for the authorization and placement of approved memorials, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project must now receive site approval before it can proceed with the presentation of a memorial design for approval.

Senate passes S.J. 2042 by a vote of 96-1.

House of Representatives rejects the language of S.J. 2042, and on September 23 passes another version of the bill to authorize a memorial to women who served in Vietnam. However, language does not specify the site of the memorial, other than it be placed on federal lands in Washington DC or its environs. This adds a level of concern that without specification, the memorial could be built in a less appropriate place.

The Senate passes an amended version of S.J. 2042 as passed by the House, authorizing that the memorial be placed on federal lands in Washington DC or its environs.

Just hours before the adjournment of the 100th Congress, the House rejects the Senate’s amendment. The Senate receded to the House position.

President Reagan signs S.J. 2042, which becomes Public Law 100-660, authorizing the approval for a Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Read S.J. Resolution 2042.

Senate approves Area I site specificity for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the National Mall.

House approves Area I site specificity for Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the National Mall.

President Bush signs legislation authorizing Area I site for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the National Mall.

Read S.J. Resolution 207.

National Capital Memorial Commission and Commission of Fine Arts approve specific sites in Area I for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the National Mall.

National Capital Planning Commission approves specific sites within Area I for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the National Mall.

National Open One-Stage Design Competition launched for design of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Co-finalists and Honorable Mentions of Design Competition announced at Press Conference, National Bldg Museum, Washington DC.

Glenna Goodacre, Santa Fe, NM, Honorable Mention winner, selected by Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project Board of Directors to design the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

All three federal authorizing agencies — National Capital Memorial Commission, Commission of Fine Arts, and National Capital Planning Commission — approve Glenna Goodacre’s design concept for the the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Diane testifying before the National Capital Planning Commission for the placement of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Diane and sculptor Glenna Goodacre presenting the approved design of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial to the public;  on the National Mall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Glenna Goodacre, sculptor; Diane Carlson Evans, Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project President; and Diana Hellinger, Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project Executive Director celebrate the achievements of the Projects work.

Plaque unveiling announcement ceremony on future site of  the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, National Mall.

Diane Carlson Evans and COL Jane Carson, USA, Ret.

Photo left to right: Sammy Davis, Medal of Honor recipient, Diane Carlson Evans, President Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project,  Gary Wetzel, Medal of Honor recipient, Diana Hellinger, Executive Director, Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project, Jan Scruggs, Founder Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, LT COL Evangeline P Jamison, USA Ret, Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project board member.

Final design approved for Vietnam Women’s Memorial by National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts.

Glenna signs the Vietnam Women’s Memorial before it leaves for Washington DC.

Diane conducts Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the National Mall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Read the full transcript of General Powell’s comments here.

Photo left to right: Dee Lippman,Jan Scruggs, Senator John Warner, George Dickie, National Park Service Representative, Diane Carlson Evans, Kevin Foley, General Colin Powell, Glenna Goodacre, Lynda Van Devanter, Senator Paul Wellstone, Senator John Kerry

21-City Whistle Stop Tour of Vietnam Women’s Memorial kicks off in Santa Fe, NM en route to final destination, Washington DC.

Diane leads the parade down Constitution Avenue with her sister veterans.

Sculptor Glenna Goodacre, Diane Evans, President of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project and its Board of Directors prepare to unveil the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Diane conducting the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Dedication Ceremony.

Sculptor, Glenna Goodacre speaks at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Dedication Ceremony.

The Vietnam Women’s Memorial is now presented before tens of thousands of people who come to touch the monument.

Vietnam magazine features an article about the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and Nam nurses. Diane appears here with the 3 female models for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Read article

(photo: Dirck Halstead)

The Vietnam Women’s Memorial is important to future generations.

Diane with General Barry McCaffrey and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen.

Program for the 20th Anniversary Commemoration

Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation assets and mission transferred to Eastern National and the National Park Service.

Diane Carlson Evans serves as Chair of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial (VWM) Advisory Group and functions as the point of contact between Eastern National and members of the Advisory Group. The VWM Advisory Group ensures the successful continuation of the mission of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation in educating the public and honoring the military and civilian women who served during the Vietnam era.  They shall support and represent the mission of the VWMF by monitoring and providing informed input for EN’s education programs, products, and services as they relate to interpreting women’s service during the Vietnam era.